Fear of HIV has taken over my life - pls help

Dec 19, 2009

Hi Dr.Bob As the title suggest I have become a nervous wreck and am on the verge of quitting my job. I constantly fear about HIV after an unprotected frottage and semi insertion with a sex worker. I have tested negative on ELISA at 7 and 9 months, but despite the results I feel weak and sick. My stomach does not feel good most of the day with excess gas. Is this a case of delayed sero conversion. Should I require any further testing ? I beg your guidance as I am left with no confidence. This incidence has changed my life forever. Please help me. God Bless

Response from Dr. Frascino

Hello,

Semi insertion. Semi insertion? Semi. Insertion. Nope. No matter how I say it, write it or read it . . . that doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Dude, the tallywhacker is either in the love canal or not. However, whether in or out doesn't really matter in your particular case, because your negative ELISA tests at seven and nine months are definitive and conclusive. HIV is not your problem. No way. No how. No further HIV testing is warranted!

As for your "excess gas," I can't diagnose the cause over the Internet. However, I can with absolute confidence advise you what's not causing it: It's not HIV!

"Is this a case of delayed seroconversion?" No, silly boy. You accurately diagnosed your real problem in the title of your post: "Fear of HIV has taken over my life"! Your problem is not HIV; it's "fear" of HIV. If my reassurance and the overwhelming evidence of your negative HIV tests out to nine months are not sufficient for you to shake your completely unwarranted worries, I'd recommend you get counseling (psychotherapy) to help you confront your totally irrational fears. That you are "on the verge of quitting (your) job" over an illness that you could not possibly have suggests to me that you need psychiatric/psychological help.

This forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not rendering medical, mental health, legal or other professional advice or services. If you have or suspect you may have a medical, mental health, legal or other problem that requires advice, consult your own caregiver, attorney or other qualified professional.

Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither TheBody.com nor any advertiser is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.

The Body is a service of Remedy Health Media, LLC, 750 3rd Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10017. The Body and its logos are trademarks of Remedy Health Media, LLC, and its subsidiaries, which owns the copyright of The Body's homepage, topic pages, page designs and HTML code. General Disclaimer: The Body is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through The Body should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, consult your health care provider.